Course summary
To find solutions to some of the biggest problems facing our planet today we need to understand the Earth’s history and processes. Geologists use their knowledge of past climates and hazards to understand and address the challenges we face from issues like climate change and natural disasters. On our Geology course you will explore how rocks and minerals are formed, how animals evolve over geological time, what causes earthquakes and volcanoes and how the science of Geology impacts on our lives today. You will develop skills in fieldwork, data capture, analysis and confident decision making. We make the most of our location and take regular field trips in South Wales to explore how geology impacts on the landscapes and the industry of the region. There will also be opportunities to do overseas trips, in the past we’ve been to Spain and Cyprus. On this four-year programme, you can spend one academic year studying at one of our partner universities abroad. Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to experience other cultures and viewpoints, learning the different styles and approaches to your subject in another country and exploring new physical environments, landscapes and coastlines. You will get the chance to make new friends and contacts from around the world. Plus, you will have the opportunity to develop a wealth of life skills and strengths that will help you to compete in an increasingly global workplace, such as adaptability, resourcefulness, and resilience. Our Regrow Borneo project allows you to offset your flight’s carbon emissions by making an affordable donation to support our tree-planting project in the Lower Kinabatangan rainforest, Sabah, Borneo. We’ve worked with industry to design our degree so you graduate with the specialist skills needed to be a professional geologist. You don’t need to have studied Geology already as we’ll be starting year one with the basic principles to bring everyone to the same level. Distinctive Features of the Programme
- Year Abroad opportunity - Learn while you travel and experience the landscapes or coastlines, education and culture of a different country with the opportunity to complete a year studying at a university abroad.
- Professional accreditation - our Geology degree is accredited by the Geological Society, the professional body for geosciences in the UK. This accreditation keeps us connected to industry and allows our graduates to become chartered Geologists.
- Student satisfaction - Belong to a small and friendly community voted close to the top among all Russell Group Universities in the main category of Overall Satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2019.
- Flexible degree schemes - all of the School’s degrees have a common first semester that introduce you to geosciences and geography. You can then decide whether to stay with your chosen degree or switch to another in the same School. BSc Geology students also have the most flexibility in years two and three with a range of optional modules to choose from. You don’t need to commit to a university abroad until your second year, so there’s plenty of time to consider your options and decide where you would like to explore.
- Hands-on fieldwork - you will get plenty of opportunity to develop your fieldwork skills with regular day trips and residential trips in Wales and overseas. South Wales has a diverse geological history and there are lots of outstanding natural landscapes for us to explore. A mapping trip to Spain is also included in your course fees.
- World leading experts and facilities – you will be taught by world-leading earth scientists and have access to the latest technologies and training for surveying and mapping geological features.
- Access to the British Geological Survey and National Museum of Wales - our school is in the same building as the Welsh office of the British Geological Survey and next door to the National Museum of Wales.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Geological Society
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- F607
- Institution code:
- C15
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Cardiff
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Further information for International applicants can be found at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 - 32 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Extended Project - A
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects. We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
All applicants are expected to have demonstrable English language skills. Most courses ask for GCSE English grade C/4 or equivalent, but some courses ask for GCSE English grade B/6 or equivalent.
To find out more, please go to:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/undergraduate
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9000 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9000 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9000 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9000 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9000 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9000 | Year 1 |
EU | £28200 | Year 1 |
International | £28200 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.
Provider information
Cardiff University
PO Box 921
Cardiff
CF10 3XQ